This project addresses the lack of systematic research on the long-term impacts of new ventures created to commercialize scientific research, so called research-based spin-offs (RBSOs). Given the prominence given to RBSOs in current research and innovatio n policies, and the substantial amount of resources used to promote these firms, the limited knowledge about their impacts is an impediment to the design of efficient policies and support mechanisms. An internationally unique database will be created base d on an extensive archive providing historical documentation of RBSOs in Norway over the last two decades and combined with existing register data, and hand collected supplementary information. This novel combination of data sources and methods makes it p ossible to overcome methodological weaknesses of current research related to only considering surviving firms, the time span needed to measure the development and impact of RBSOs, the biases resulting from excluding mergers and acquisitions and the limita tions of relying on successful single university cases. This approach makes it possible to explore largely unaddressed research questions such as: What is the link between initial research base and resources (e.g. financing) and the long-term performance of RBSOs? Do the most successful RBSOs become acquired? What are the economic and societal impacts of RBSOs? How can these impacts be measured? Implications of the study will inform the discussion about whether the prominence given to RBSOs in research an d innovation policy is warranted, how the economic and societal impacts of RBSOs could be measured, and how government policies and support initiatives to promote the growth and potential impacts of RBSOs should be designed. The project is a collaborative effort comprising leading national and international researchers in the area of academic entrepreneurship.
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